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Friday, November 12, 2010

Mud Pies For Dolls

Marjorie Winslow's 1961 Mud Pies And Other Recipes, exquisitely illustrated by Erik Blegvad, is a treasure of a quirky cookbook - a cookbook for dolls! Some recipes are exquisitely simple; for instance, here is how to make Dollypops: Pick a dandelion from the lawn carefully, so as not to disturb the fluff. Hand it to your doll and tell her to lick. But what is most remarkable is the attention to details, including in terms of presentation of the dishes, and the impression, conveyed throughout the book, that cooking is a fun experience, not a chore. I also love the idea that children can make their own playthings with what they find around the house and the garden, instead of buying more plastic junk. Winslow, for instance, explains how to make a doll cake pan with the bottom of a milk carton.Gravel en Casserole, anyone?

Mary-Laure--I've tried to think of how to break it to everyone the horrid truth: Giulia would indeed have flour-dusted whiskers & paws but in the service of, um, making some savories. Some gratins. Some dishes en casserole that would offend vegetarians & refined persons (or both). I feel I should not say more:)